Project title: Hearts and Minds Project
Region: Llanharan, Wales
Award amount: £14,796
Date: August 2025 – June 2026
This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.
Llanharan has high rates of heart disease and a lack of sufficient health education. Surveys completed by community members revealed a low level of understanding regarding diet, exercise and stress management, highlighting the need for an education-based project to help reduce the risk of heart diseases within the area.
Hearts and Minds project provided this much needed education in Llanharan surrounding heart diseases and provided resources and support to make long-term health changes.
Llanharan Community Development Project supported individuals at risk of heart disease and those already exhibiting early signs of heart health problems through the Hearts and Minds initiative.
The Hearts and Minds project promoted mental and emotional well-being alongside physical health. The project included stress management and emotional resilience, nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations, and physical activity sessions. Walking and gardening groups were ran alongside this project as additional light exercise for participants to benefit from. Smart watches were provided to participants to monitor daily physical activity, step counts and hydration, helping them set personal goals and encouraging positive behaviour change throughout the programme.
Participants finished the project with a deeper understanding of the connection between emotional and physical well-being, especially how stress, lifestyle and mental health directly influence heart health. Participants felt empowered to make informed choices around nutrition, exercise and self-care to support healthier hearts and foster lasting habits.
62 people directly benefitted from this project in the Llanharan area, with many participants continuing to attend activities with the organisation after the project has ended. This projects success was measured through a number of health measures, showing health changes in each beneficiary. See stats below.
Participants also reported walking more regularly, making healthier food choices, reducing stress through seated yoga and mindfulness, and developing stronger social connections. By combining preventative health monitoring with enjoyable, community-based activities, the project successfully improved heart health while empowering participants to make realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes. Beyond the measurable health outcomes, participants have become more confident, active and connected within their community, creating benefits that will continue long after the funding has ended.
“The project was very worthwhile and has made me think more about how I treat my body”
“Just go ahead and do it. You won’t regret it. It really helped me. By taking part in this project I found new friends and a new lease of life.”
“Since joining the group, I make it my mission now to do 10,000 steps. Even when I feel a little low, I have a network of people who pick me up and I have friends now.”